English Language Centre
Please scroll down for English Language requirements
Whether you are intending to study at the University of Lincoln or are already studying here, the English Language Centre (ELC) provides a range of support for international students . Our services are designed to help students to improve in all areas of their English language and academic study skills.
The well qualified and friendly staff working in ELC are based within Student Services and are here to guide your learning using a variety of methods ensuring you have every opportunity to reach your potential and to help you succeed on your course, whether you are studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
We offer the following areas of English language support for international students:
- A pre-sessional English Language and Academic Study Skills course (PEASS)
- In-sessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language support throughout the academic year
- A drop in service for students requiring English language advice
- One to one tutorials on a variety of EAP subjects.
In – Sessional English Language Centre Workshops
We run a series of free workshops for international students every term. These workshops are free of charge for international students who are enrolled at the University of Lincoln. The workshops are in a variety of subject areas including:
- Introduction to Academic Writing
- Academic Speaking Practice
- Academic Listening Practice
- Academic Writing Skills
- Presentation Skills
- Research skills, referencing and avoiding plagiarism
- Critical Reading and Note-taking
- Social English (culture, media, humour )
Please note that the English Language Centre does not have a proof reading service.
For full details of the workshops and to book a place please email Englishlanguage@lincoln.ac.uk
Pre-sessional English Language and Academic Study Skills
University of Lincoln English Language Requirements
The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that all international students have adequate English language skills in order for them to be able to study successfully on the programmes we offer.
We accept a variety of English language qualifications and have listed the most popular below. If you have an alternative English language qualification, please contact us for assessment.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
An IELTS result is only valid for two years from the test date. Please ensure that your IELTS certificate is valid before applying.
Most University of Lincoln courses require the following score in IELTS:
IELTS band 6.0 or above with no less than 5.5 in each band score.
However, please note that there are some courses which require higher IELTS scores which are listed below:
IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band score
MSc Construction Project Management
MA 21st Century Literature
Business and Law MPhil/PhD
MA English and MA Creative Writing
If you have not achieved the required IELTS score for the programmes listed above you may be eligible to apply for one of our pre-sessional courses. Please contact us for more information.
IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each band score
MA Journalism (Please note: applicants for this programme will not be eligible for the University of Lincoln pre-sessional courses and will be required to meet the requested IELTS score.)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Overall TOEFL score – Total 79 : (Listening - 17, Reading - 18, Speaking - 20, Writing - 17.)
Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Cambridge English: Advanced, commonly known as the Certificate in Advanced English – CAE (NQF Level2)
- Cambridge English: Proficiency, commonly known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English – CPE, (NQF Level 3)
University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)
- GCE O Level English Language (Syllabus numbers 1119, 1120, 1123, 1124, 1125 and 1126 – grade C or better
- IGCSE First Language English (Syllabus number 0500, 0522, 0524 and 0561) – grade C or better
- IGCSE English as a Second Language (Syllabus number 0510, 0511 and 0526) – grade C or better
Edexcel
- IGCSE English as a Second Language – grade C or better
- IGCSE English Language – grade C or better
- IGCSE English Language – grade C or better
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
- Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination: Use of English – Grade E or better
- Hong Kong Advanced Supplementary Level Examination: Use of English – Grade E or better
- Hong Kong Certification of Education (HKCEE) prior to 2007 – English Language (Syllabus B) – Grade C or better 2007 onwards
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) – Grade 4 English Language (see Tariff tables)
Pearson Language Tests
Overall score 54
Listening: minimum level 51
Speaking: minimum level 51
Reading: minimum level 51
Writing: minimum level 51
Country Specific English Language Qualifications
| Country | Qualification | Grades |
| Antigua & Barbuda | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Australia | English language within Provincial Secondary/Senior School Certificate or Diploma | 50% |
| Austria | Reifeprüfung / Matura | 2 ('Gut') |
| Bahamas | GCSE / GCE O Level | A-C |
| Barbados | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Barbados | GCE Ordinary Level | A-C/1-6 |
| Belgium | Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur | 5 |
| Belgium | Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs | 10 |
| Belize | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Belize | GCE Ordinary Level | A-C/1-6 |
| Botswana | Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (BGCSE) | A-C |
| Cameroon | GCE Ordinary Level | A-C |
| Canada | High School Diploma (or regional equivalent) | A-C |
| Cyprus | Apolytirion of Lykeion | 15 |
| Denmark | Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) | 7 |
| Dominica | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Dominica | GCE Ordinary Level | A-C/1-6 |
| Europe | European Baccalaureate Diploma | 7 |
| Germany | Abitur / Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife - English as a 'Leistungskurse' | 10 ('Gut') |
| Ghana | Senior Secondary School Certificate | A-C |
| Ghana | WASSCE | A1-C6 |
| Grenada | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Guyana | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Hong Kong | HKDSE | Grade 4 |
| Iceland | Studentsprof (from Gymnasium) | 9 |
| India | Standard XII (awarded by a Metro/State Board) | 60%+ |
| Jamaica | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | A-C |
| Malaysia | SPM/Cambridge GCE O'level syllabus 1119 | A-C |
| Malta | Advanced Matriculation / Matriculation Certificate | E |
| Netherlands | VWO | 8 |
| New Zealand | National Certificate in Educational Achievement at level 3 | Achieved |
| Nigeria | NECO Senior School Certificate | 1-6 |
| Nigeria | WAEC WASSC | 1-6 |
| Norway | VVO | 4 |
| Singapore | Singapore / Cambridge GCE O Level | 1-6 |
| South Africa | National Senior Certificate | 5 |
| St Kitts & Nevis | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| St Kitts & Nevis | GCE Ordinary Level | A-C/1-6 |
| St Lucia | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| St Vincent & The Grenadines | Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (General Proficiency) | 1-3 |
| Sweden | Slutbetyg / Avgångsbetyg från Gymnasieskolan | 4 ('VG') |
| Tanzania | Secondary School Leaving Certificate | A-C |
| Tanzania | Certificate of Secondary Education | A-C |
| Trinidad & Tobago | GCE Ordinary Level | A-C/1-6 |
| Uganda | Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) | 1-6 |
| Uganda | East African Certificate of Education (EACE) | 1-6 |
| USA | High School Graduation Diploma | C |
| Various | International Baccalaureate Diploma - HL English | 4 |
| Zambia | Zambia School Certificate / General Certificate of Education | 1-6 |
| Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education O Level | A-C |
For other English language qualifications you can also refer to the UK Border Agency’s ‘Secure English Language Test’ List which is available online at
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf
Or alternatively you can contact us directly at the English Language Centre for more information and advice.
